See: once again this is not the focusing particle but the imperative form of the verb “to see”—the same verb as is used in the beginning of the quotation in the previous verse.

Fords of the wilderness: this is what the Hebrew text literally says, but there is a marginal note that what should be read is “plains of the wilderness” (Goldman). Most versions, however, accept the idea fords, since a more specific location was necessary for the passing on of information gathered by the spy network. A ford is a place where people and animals are able to cross a stream or river. The best translation in some languages will be a phrase like “the places where people cross the river on the road to the wilderness.”

Until word comes from you: since it is not natural in many languages to make word the subject of a verb like comes, it will be better to say something like “until you send word [a message]” or “until someone comes with information from you.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .